Cucurella helps Chelsea move closer to Champions League after win over Man United
Manchester United are preparing for the Europa League final against Tottenham next week, but they still fielded a strong team and played to the same level as Chelsea. However, Manchester United ended up losing their 18th Premier League game this season & are now 16th in the League table.
Chelsea and Aston Villa (who beat Tottenham 2-0 in their other game) both leapfrogged Manchester City into the top five. However, City have a game in hand against Bournemouth on Tuesday and play the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
If Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest in the final round, they will be guaranteed a return to the Champions League after a two-year absence.. Man United can only salvage their season by winning the upcoming Europa League final in Bilbao. However, coach Ruben Amorim will not rest his key players against Chelsea.
Captain Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo and Casemiro all started, while Chelsea were without a real striker with Nicolas Jackson suspended and Christopher Nkunku still injured.
Youngster Tyrique George – a winger by trade – was forced to play as a striker in an unfamiliar role, leaving Chelsea’s attack lacking in threat and vulnerable to the opposition defence. United started well and looked to have scored when Harry Maguire put the ball into the net from a Fernandes cross, but VAR ruled he was inches offside.
Chelsea’s best chance of the first half came when Reece James hit the goal post with a long range effort. Cole Palmer was the bright spot for the hosts, almost scoring with a curling shot that Onana pushed just wide of the goal for Enzo Fernandez. However, Enzo shot over the bar despite an open goal, but was fortunately offside.
The match was interrupted several times by minor injuries and VAR checks making it difficult for both teams to maintain the rhythm of play.
In the second half, Manchester United continued to play well at the beginning of the half but failed to take advantage of their opportunities; Mason Mount shot wide on his return to Stamford Bridge, while Fernandes shot over the bar.
In the 60th minute, the referee initially awarded a penalty to Chelsea after a collision between George and Onana. However, VAR showed that goalkeeper Onana had touched the ball first, and the decision was overturned.
While Chelsea’s attack was ineffective, the decisive goal came from the defenders. In the 70th minute, Reece James dribbled near the penalty area and crossed accurately for Cucurella to head home – his seventh goal of the season.
Shortly after, Noni Madueke had a chance to double the lead from Palmer’s pass but shot wide. Chelsea almost paid the price if goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had not blocked Diallo’s shot.
In the end, Chelsea held on for the win and moved closer to a place in next season’s Champions League.